Gig 6 Moveable Feast. 22nd December 2008
The Barge Inn
63 Layfield RdGillingham, ME7 2QY

Attendance: 50
Price: Free
My Location: Stage Side

Record Recommendation: Fairy Tale of New York: The Pogues.

I think that it is only fitting that I recommend a festive treat this blog. There are quite a few good seasonal songs that compete for the prestige of being called Mark’s Favourite; they include A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris de Burgh. I admit it, I do like a Chris de Burgh song, but it is a good song, I will say no more! Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s Power of Love is also a fine song. The thing is, if they weren’t Christmas songs, I would have forgotten about both of those tracks by now. There are two Seasonal songs that I think are genuinely worthy of being classed as Quality Songs. The first is I Believe in Father Christmas by Greg Lake.

I think that it is a beautiful song, and it never fails to put me in a festive mood when I hear it. Even though it is a reaction to the commercialism of Christmas. It has recently been covered by U2 for the Red Charity. At first I thought I had dreamed it all up when I told friends that one of my favourite bands covered one of my favourite Christmas songs- it just sounded too good to be true.

However much I enjoy I Believe in Father Christmas, I can only recommend one song, and it is the one and only Fairy Tale of New York by The Pogues. It just is the greatest Christmas song of all, and although it is a Christmas song, Fairy Tale could be recommended on a glorious mid-summer’s evening with swallows darting across an open field, the hint of apple blossom drifting on the warm breeze, it is such a timeless hit. I suppose one reason for its status, is that on its re-release every Christmas, we are reminded how uplifting a tune it is. As it is only “available” for a short period, we don’t take it for granted, we welcome it back like an old friend- one who is a bit unpredictable but exciting none the less, and we never bore of it.

The song has been covered by many artists including Sinead O’Connor, Ronan Keating, Razorlight, and The Woodcut Process, among others. The song was on a list of want-to-plays for a long time. Biggs and I had the good fortune to be supporting local band the Phantoms in early December 2007, plus Biggs’ sister was around to guest for us on violin, and female vocals, so we dedicated ourselves to learning it. Fairy Tale is a deceptively difficult song to learn as I found out while playing along with the CD. Half way through it veers off into 5/8 timing, and with so many good drum fills in the song I had to concentrate hard on keeping the beat.

Playing Fairy Tale of New York also gave me the opportunity to chance my arm at providing a bit of vocals. My voice isn’t the best in the band- it’s probably the third best- just a head of Wilson- but when it comes to imitating a drunk down and out, my untutored vocal chords are almost more suitable than Biggs’ cultured ones. I also don’t mind providing backing on Eerie Canal- I’m less out of my depth when the words are intentionally not too harmonious- i.e. when, in this case, they’re sung by drunken barge men. So the two of us, Biggs and I, sang the opening monologue together. I must admit, the crowd seemed to enjoy our rendition, I loved playing it, and I look forward to playing it again. Can there be a higher recommendation for Fairy Tale of New York?!

Ok, I was off once again on my travels; to Kent again, to see Moveable Feast at the Barge. The web site describes the pub as “Medway’s best kept secret”. I can vouch for this statement as I spent about 15 minutes wandering around trying to find it- even though I had a map, and I am a cartographer! If you are looking for it, don’t go in to the Ship thinking the Barge has had a refit and rename; the Barge is just around the corner, and worth perservering to find. My first impression when I saw it nestled in a terrace between two houses, was “wow”. The interior was unique too. With a name like the Barge, it was no surprises that it had a nautical theme, with low ceilings and lighting, dark wood panels, and sea-faring memorabilia on the walls. These included a couple of tillers, paintings, and model boats. The place was full of trinkets from 17th century buckles and coins found in Kent, to the bottle of Arrogant Bastard Ale sitting on the shelf. The ales behind the bar were of a good quality too, and I treated myself to a Young’s Special for £2.90.

Moveable Feast started playing at about 9, and I made my way to the only vacant seat, which was slightly behind the stage, in a rapidly filling pub. The main problem the venue has, is the number of posts that can get in the way of the view of the stage. But I suppose the ceiling does need to be held up! Moveable Feast were represented by Jo on double bass, Di on fiddle, Mitch on acoustic and lead vocals, and Tony who I thought was on electric guitar. The band has a drummer, and acordian player too, but they were unavailable for that evening. I was a bit disappointed, because when the band was sound checking, there was a set of conga drums on the stage, and I was hoping to be treated to some rhythms performed on them. Unfortunately they were carted off to a safe place behind the bar before the act started, or I could volunteer to play them!

The band started the gig with Your Scent Upon My Heart, which sounded like a traditional Country and Western style tune- a bit like something Tammy Winnet would play. This was followed by Pebbles on a Beach. The song had a Latino feel to it, and it was about swimming against the tide, and it was nothing like Paul Weller’s song with the same title. The Weller sound came later in Stretley Road, when Mitch was punching out the words in a very Jam- like fashion. During Pebbles on a Beach I noticed that Tony’s “guitar” sounded very much like a mandolin. It was only after 3 more songs and a lot of squinting at the instrument, that my eagle eyes noticed it was eight stringed, and was in fact an electric mandolin.

Things really started to get going when Moveable Feast played Baltimore, a song inspired by Mitch touring in Ireland. Di stepped up, and expertly lead the tune, and carried on the good work as they launched into a couple of foot stomping jigs that had the crowd clapping in time.

It is here that I must express my surprise at the folk gigs I have been to. It was at the Moveable Feast gig that I heard, for the first time the audience clapping along to a song- well done Moveable Feast! How shocking is that? I have been to too many concerts to count, watching all genres of music, and the crowds have always responded by at least clapping along to the songs. I suppose the small seated venues I have been in recently don’t really lend a conservative crowd an opportunity to let themselves get carried away by the music- it would be far too embarrassing for them! But come on audiences, let yourselves go; love the music. I can’t put all the blame on the audience, no; the organisers need to create the ambience where people aren’t afraid to get a bit carried away. Turn the lights right down, start a few hand claps- people will join in, and the band will respond.

Phew, where was I?! Oh yes, Jo provided lovely harmony on Forgive Me Now for all the Sins I have not yet Committed, which was a great relaxing song. Before the interval, a superb interpretation of House of the Rising Sun was performed with awesome mandolin solo thrown in for good measure.

The second set commenced with Tango of Sexual Power, a song about the Falklands War that had me thinking up some words for a new Woodcut’s song- the first verse has been penned. Biggs, you have been warned. Throughout the evening, the band showed off their versatility by mixing up the songs from folk, to country, to gipsy (all very different styles) Irish folk, and a bit of Ska, I certainly enjoyed the variety, and judging by the participation, the rest of the crowd did too. Highlights for me included the fine build up that was performed in Heart of Stone, Burnt Bottom (Charred Arse) the Gipsy tune, and the driving bass in Wild Eyes. I also loved their cover of The Devil Went Down to Georgia. The song has been a favourite of mine since I were a lad, my good friend Dawson bought it as one of his first singles, and we played it while weight training in his room. When the song was being played, I thought that the lights on the Christmas tree by the stage had gone ballistic, until I realised they were flashing in time to the song! The song Moveable Feast was played toward the end of the evening. It is a charming tune where the lyrics move effortlessly from the feast of food on a mobile kebab van, to the feast of an ethnic mix that makes up this Great Nation of ours. It was a cracking evening, and Moveable Feast would liven up any party they were invited to play at.

On my way out, I was stopped by Tim, the “Skipper” of the Barge, and asked if I had enjoyed the evening. I replied in the affirmative, and complemented the band. Even though it was a busy pub, Tim took the time to tell me how he has interest from bands as far away as Holland who want to perform at the venue. I told him that there was a reason for bands wanting to play there- it is a unique setting, it has a relaxed, and welcoming atmosphere, which reflects the management style. Have Radio 2 visited the Barge yet?

I have one slight problem though, once again, no flyers were handed out. However, I have come up with a plan. Cast your minds back to the beginning of this tour- the act to kick it off was Vin Garbut at the Twickenham Folk Club. As you know he pulled out due to sickness, however, he will be playing at that location on 11th Jan. So, if no-one minds, I will re-visit my Folk Home on that night, and continue thence forth.

Cheers, Mark.